Apr. 22--A 2007 law directing the state pharmacy board to have standardized, "patient-centered" regulations by 2011 couldn't have been clearer in its intent. But today, it appears the pharmacy board will ignore that direction and continue to put Californians' health unnecessarily at risk.
Last year, the board's staff recommended requiring pharmacies to use 12-point type on prescription labels and to provide translations for non-English speakers. These are accepted national standards, with good reason.
Studies show that nearly half of American adults can't read or understand the labels on their prescription drugs. Medication errors account for at least one death a day nationwide. About 40 percent of California seniors take medicine incorrectly.
In January, the pharmacy board seemed ready to adopt the new rules. Then, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had signed the original law, appointed Deborah Veale of CVS Pharmacy to the board. The very next day, Veale cast the deciding vote to water down the requirements to 10-point type and to leave translation at the discretion of pharmacies.
That smoke cloud you see over the East Bay is pouring from the ears of Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro, who wrote the 2007 law. She may need to get a new bill passed to explicitly force the board to do what's right -- but what a shame it will be to have to wait a year for this simple improvement that quite literally will save lives.
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Why California Needs Clear Prescription Drug LabelsOriginally from: http://www.nursinglink.monster.com/news/articles/12179-why-california-needs-clear-prescription-drug-labels
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